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Everyone realizes that there is an obesity epidemic in this country. Yet when I recently learned that Michigan is now considered the fifth-heaviest state in the nation, it shocked me. I don’t like that number at all.

I thought we were doing better, or at least staying at an even keel. I didn’t think that Michigan’s weight issues were worsening. But according to James Haveman, Director of Michigan Department of Community Health, the weight problems in our great state continue to worsen. The percentages of people who are carrying around an unhealthy amount of excess weight on their bodies are definitely increasing — and so are the obesity-related medical costs.

The numbers don’t lie. Back in the mid ’90s, approximately 18 percent of adults living in Michigan were obese. By 2010, only 15 years later, the percentage increased to 32 percent! Today there are 5 million adults and 800,000 children living in Michigan who have a weight issue. If this trend continues at the current rate of increase, about half — yes, you read that correctly, 50 percent — of all Michigan residents will be obese by 2030. That’s only 17 years away.

Knowing that obesity can lead to health complications including heart disease, stroke, certain cancers, Type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis and arthritis leaves me to wonder: What kind of future does this mean for Michigan? Ever ask yourself this as well?

A healthy future for Michigan is what we all wish for — certainly NOT an unhealthy one.

I want to stop wondering and worrying about Michigan’s future. Isn’t it time that we all do something in order to help get the numbers moving in the right direction for this great state of ours?

Grace Derocha, a registered dietitian, certified diabetes and weight-loss management educator at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, reminded me that you can locate MANY delicious and healthy recipes here on this website, I hope this is useful: http://www.ahealthiermichigan.org/food/recipes-food/